Friday, January 9th 2072. 2100-0030 Hours. Vancouver, Salish Shidhe Council. Burrard Inlet. The Pride and Joy.

They had consummated their passion quickly; he had craved her badly, pinning her wrists down against the bed as he violently kissed her. Jennifer moaned a bit between hungry explorations as he slid his tongue deep into her mouth, wanting to satisfy his taste buds with her saliva. He pulled back as she tried to arch her back to continue kissing, his face having a vicious smile, his eyes dominating her, "You'll be my latest prey, Jennifer Davis. Someone who I shall enjoy so very thoroughly."

Galloway had then succumbed to his animal passion, his true form becoming apparent, ripping off first his and then her clothes, till there was not a stitch between them. She was about sign away her voice, but tonight she had also signed away her body. She had become the prey, the elf who would have to pay Galloway his due for this infernal business.

Afterwards, they had shared some eX and she had taken him to the shower to continue their copulation. They had gasped on the floor of the shower, each drop of water a rare experience of pleasure. She had helped him back on his feet and partially dragged him onto the bed where his quick breath turned to a more regular one. She kissed his forehead as he plunged into post-coital sleep.

The part of the personality that was Vera wondered had Hotshida enjoyed the show as she had sent her employer the uncut simsense experience. It was not BTL, but it certainly was close. She wondered had he enjoyed it as much as they had. It brought a smile to her lips as she stroked Galloway’s hair.

Friday, January 9th 2072. 0100 Hours. Vancouver, Salish Shidhe Council. Burrard Inlet. The Pride and Joy.

Their love making in the shower had been slow and rhythmic. By the time it was done, the eX drug had taken it's full affect on Thomas Galloway. He fell to sleep very easily. The man was not without adverse personalities. During their initial expression of sexual passion, Vera had brought out the corruption in him. A face he was trying to suppress, but will always been apart of him.

There was a blinking light which emitted from her commlink. A neon glow of a feminine color. It was an incoming message from Kyle Hotshida.

<Text: Quiet the performance. A fine display of dexterity, stamina, intelligence, and preparation. Remind me to discuss with you the possibility of pursuing future employment, both in the entertainment industry and within the Shadows. Soak and Sponge are both on standby, awaiting for your signal.>>

Right after she had finished reading the message, Vera felt the boat come to a screeching halt. The cabin room shook at the sudden decrease in momentum. The boat was standing still. Looking out the window she see's the Vancouver skyline in the distance, and the gleaming lights of the Lions Gate Bridge in the distance. Bringing up the Augmented Reality display of a map of Vancouver and the GPS location of the Yacht via the cabin telescreen, the AR voice and map showed Vera that the yacht was somewhere around 2 KM East of Stanley Park, and 2 Kilometers North of Jericho Beach Park.

[AR Map.]

The boat was heading Northwest, and deeper into the Burrard Inlet.

Vera looked at Thomas with a sense of disgust before focusing on and looking around the cabin if she could find the optical disc.




<<I am always looking for ways I can excite myself further. Perhaps we can deal with the details later. Soak and Sponge can get themselves to the yacht. There is only the rigger to worry about, so if they are quiet, they should be able to find him. He's located somewhere in the front of the ship. We are somewhere around 2 KM East of Stanley Park, and 2 Kilometers North of Jericho Beach Park. GPS locations are attached. Did you just hijack the ship, since it seems something is going on?>>



She leaned against the bulkhead and picked up her turned off commlink and turned it back on. She let herself become a bit more drug addled than she was and hit the redial function for Dobson, her voice trembling with the hint of drug induced paranoia."Hello Dobson? is everything alright? I was about to lie down when the ship shook."



She listened for a response from the rigger.

Vera stumbles upon a switch underneath one of the lampstand desks. When she presses the switch a compartment opens up in the wall, revealing the optical disc in question. The disc is circular in nature, green in color, and is enclosed in a yellow manilla envelope. While searching, she also finds a Hammerli 620 Lightpistol in Galloway's closet, along with a rack of various male designer clothing. There is also the leather jacket Galloway was wearing in the image Mr. Johnson showed her at the beginning of the day.



During her search, Hotshida send a return text.

<<Text: We have located the yacht. Soak and Spone are on their way. ETA 5-10 minutes. That is a negative on us hijacking the ship.>>

Outside, Vera hears the sound of a running motoboat on the side of the boat, followed by a series of gunshots coming from the front of the yacht.

There is no response from Hobson. She can hear nothing. All is silent.

Until a she hears the sound of footsteps

On the telescreen. Vera can see various security feeds from the boat. From the screen she can see a green augemented reality display beaming out towards her floating in the air. It is a picture of Mr. Johnson's bodyguard wearing the leather pants and long black-hair. He is walking alongside the starboard heading towards the main cabin.

Vera takes the disc and places it in her case and places her disc in the manila envelope. She slips the envelope into her overlarge jacket. She also takes the hammerli pistol and puts it on a nearby table.

Dressed in nothing but the jacket she closes the door to the main bedroom and sees what's going on.

<<Looks like Mr Johnson sent his bodyguard. Try having the two sneak up quietly. there may be more elves on board.>>

She put on her best smile as she was self-conciously wrapped in the jacket as he approached with his gun drawn.

"My aren't we being eager?" she said sulkily.

The elf approached the door to the cabin. Only to find Vera seductively leaning against it in only a wearing a leather jacket.

"My aren't we being eager?" she said sulkily.

The bodyguard offered her a smile while pointing his heavy pistol.

"Yes. Yes I am. Hand over the disc, and maybe you'll get out of this alive...that is..if I get what I want."

Vera leaned against the door for a moment and walked toward the bodyguard, she let the jacket slowly come down her shoulders, revealing the tops of her breasts. "What more do you want?"

She ran her finger over his chest to his neck. "I don't think your boss would approve of shooting an unarmed woman in the doorway, I also don't think he would approve to hiring someone and then losing all that money because you wanted to have a bit of fun at his expense - of course you don't have to tell him anything."

The bodyguard studied Vera for a moment. The jacket sliding from her shoulders catching his eye.

"What if I were to tell you that I was acting independently from our boss." He began, looking up her shoulders to down at her legs. "The disc is worth more then you're getting paid. How about you work with the two of us? I can see future benefits in allying with you." He grinned.

"Give me the disc, and help me murder Galloway. From there, we'll sell it and make a fortune. What do you say?"

Vera thinks about throwing the jacket on his head and strangling him, or at least slamming his head between the door. Of course she had foolishly placed both discs in the jacket.

She carefully slipped off the jacket.

"What if I refused? would you take it by force, would you take me by force?"

The elf pulled back the hammer of his gun.

"Not exactly. I'll have my fun after a bullet to the head. Delighting in the body of a women who doesn't resist is so much more satisfying."

He pointed the gun at Vera. The elven necrophiliac smiled.

"I'm going to enjoy you..."

The elf was interrupted by the firing of a gun. Two shots.

Blam! Blam!

The bodyguard took a bullet to the left shoulder, before taking one to the heart. His body flew back against the wall, his neck curved to the side. Eyes wide in shock. The body slid down the wall before slumping lifelessly in front of the Cabin door.

Behind Vera. Galloway stood holding the Hammerli 620 with two hands. He was wearing a pair of tight blue jeans and was standing bare-chested. His expression was one of determination.

"Over my dead body."

Just then, Vera saw movement in her peripheral eye. The bald-perverted elf was rounding the corner, a submachine gun in hand. Upon seeing his dead partner the freak let out a high pitched scream.

Galloway heard it, and then looked at Vera with concern.

Vera picked up the jacket and jumped into the adjacent VIP bed room. She shouted "Grenade!"

She was immediately scnannign the room for a weapon. Fire extinguisher or something.

<<I really need some help here.>>

A set of bullets chewed into the area where Vera was just standing. She looked around in the cabin. It was similar to the one she was in earlier, but much smaller. Scanning the room she see's a lit candlestick, a tray of food on the dresser with kitchen utensils and a knife beside it. At the other end of the cabin there is a powdered fire extinguisher.



The shout of the false 'Grenade' seemed to buy her time to scan the room and make an action. The shout seemed to have affected Galloway as well. She could see him ducked behind a wall in the other cabin.

Vera grabs the powder fire extinguisher, throwing the jacket in the corner. She pulls the pin and blindly fires it where she expects the bald elf to be.

[Picture of the bald pervert. Look under Ricky, and imagine him without the cane.]

The perverted elf sprinted down the hallway, screaming psychotically.

"You killed him! You killed Cyred!? Prepare to be skinned alive you fraggers!"

The elf rounded the corner and looked into the room. Vera's timing was near perfect, as he was sprayed in the face with the foam.

"Aaaaahhhhh!" The elf shrieks while he covers his face from the powder.

His Ingram Smartgun goes off in his hand blindly, bullets begin spraying into Vera's cabin.

Vera naked and holding an extinguisher, continues to spray the bald perv with foam. The gun firing wildly, hitting all around her. One of the bullets grazed by her shoulder.

"Thomas, shoot him!"

She hoped he could, because otherwise she would be dead

From the other room, Vera could hear Galloway's light pistol go off from behind the elf. The first bullet struck into the perverted elf's back, but only seemed to stun the bald elf. Vera could make out the bullet embedded deeply into the elf's armor, looking like it might have left a slight bruise.

The bald elf turned around to face Galloway.

Blam!

The second shot from the pistol went off, catching the elf square in the chest. A rainbow of blood sprouted from the elf's stomach as he flew into Vera's cabin. The short-bald elf landed with a thud, right beside Vera. He grimaced and screamed, before turning on his side. He looked up at Vera, and licked his lips, like a dirty starving homeless man staring at a Turkey dinner

A pair of hand razors snapped from his knuckles.

Snket

Vera holding the fire extinguisher next to her, beats the perv razroboi with the fire extinguisher on the head. Hopefully something already loose would go in.

Vera slams the fire extinguisher down on the side of the injured elf's head. The impact of the blow is like a mallet smashing a watermelon. His temple caves in and there is a sicking squishy sound after the initial crack.

Galloway runs into the hallway. The gun dangling at his side. He gives her a confused expression. One of concern, one also with anger. He takes a moment to think about what he is going to say. He does not say anything.

However his eyes which have always been the most telling part of his demeanor are those of concern.

Vera can read his body language, which is asking..."Are you alright?"

Vera continues hitting the perv's head until there is nothing left to squish.

She looks at Galloway, naked and covered in razorboi. "No. I am not okay."

She starts to cry.

A quietly dispassionate side of her asks. <<So what are we going to do now?>>

She had buried her face in his chest smearing her blood and brain spattered face against him. She blinked back tears as she struggled to wrestle herself under control. Her commlink once blank, now started to scroll with text across her minds eye,

Text from Hotshida: <<How much does he know?>>

Text to Hotshida: <<I don't know.>>

Text from Hotshida: <<You have to find out. I am experiencing you closely.>>


Galloway's body was comforting against her's, however his tone was not when he spoke, "Tell me what's going on here. Who are you?"

He pulled away from her as she wiped her eyes from the tears, make-up and blood. There was a serious look in Galloway's eyes as he held the Hammerli pistol casually in his hand.

"H-his boss blackmailed me into looking for a disc. He said I had to do it or else he would leak a sim-sense recording of me onto the Matrix. He said that after that, no-one would look twice at me."

Galloway carefully reached into the leather jacket on the floor and pulled out the disc in the manilla envelope. Her disc. His eyes were hard. "You mean this one?"

"Yeah, they must have followed us on-board", she mumbled. She hugged herself, feeling naked for the first time in a very long time.

She looked at him, wiping the snot from her nose. "Are you going to kill me now?"

He placed the manila envelope in his pocket and shook his head, "No."

Vera looked back at him, "What do we do now?"

Galloway picked up the the jacket and placed it on her shoulders, the smell leather and his odor engulfing her. "We have to get out of here, there might be more of them."

She took his hand, climbing to her feet, stepping gingerly across the bodyguard on the floor, while he went up the stairs his gun drawn. "I'm sorry about the yacht, the Pride and Joy."

They didn't speak until they reached the outside of the yacht. There was the sound of a hydrofoil speedboat's engine dying down. Soak and Sponge, the troll and ork boarded, quickly mooring their boat alongside the yacht.

Sponge approached the two of them with an assault rifle in hand. He lowered the gun to look at them. "Step away from him Jennifer."

Vera steps carefully away, holding her hands up. Galloway turns and looks at her very confused. "How does he know your name? What's going on here?"

"I'm sorry, Thomas." Vera said looking down at him dispationately. Galloway's body striking the deck as gel rounds fired by Sponge impacted his chest. There momentary was shock and look of betrayal in his eyes before they shut and he was plunged into unconciousness.

Sponge looked around quickly before heading back to their speedboat. He eyed Vera in an appraising manner as he hoisted Galloway's body over his shoulder. "Who the fuck were those people?"

"Competition." Vera said refusing to elaborate further.

"Let's get out of here." Said Sponge, his large troll frame easily lifting Galloway on to the boat. Soak offered Vera a hand as she climbed aboard, taking the nearest passenger seat.

She checked to see if she still had the disc in her pocket. Satisfied it was, she asked Sponge, "Can I have the envelope please. your boss will want me to hold it for him."

Sponge looked at her intently and handed Vera the envelope. Meanwhile Soak was busy releasing the mooring lines. The engines began to revve as the boat headed away from the yacht.

For the first time Vera looked at the disc, it was the size of her small elven palm. It was a pink disc, a disc with her voice on it. A symbol of all she could have been. She thought about the disc for a while and finally threw it into the inky depths of the Puget Sound.

And for the first time that night she turned off her sim-sense, blocking out Kyle Hotshida from her experiences.

"What was that?" Soak said looking at Vera and Sponge alertly.

"You can tell Kyle that the disc is gone. I just want to go home." She bundled herself up better in Galloway's stained leather skin jacket, shivering in the cold sea air.

The boat turned away from the yacht and headed back towards the bright lights of Vancouver.

Saturday, January 10th 2072. 0800 Hours. Vancouver, Salish Shidhe Council.
-Downtown. Angelic Studios

Soak and Sponge took Vera to the University of British Columbia where she was able to rest and change in an empty dorm room. She declined their invitation for a ride back to Downtown Vancouver, instead she took multiple taxi's to and from until she eventually reached the Elysium (A luxury hotel).

It is now 8AM. The streets of Vancouver were empty on this weekend morning as she made her way to Angelic Entertainment studios for her scheduled meeting with Kyle Hotshida. There she met Sponge. The large troll escorted her to Hotshida's office which was on basement level 4 inside the structure. She went through another diamond shaped hallway until she reached a silver sliding door. The electronic door slid open.

When she entered, Vera saw that the entire office walling was entirely white. The only coloring came from Hotshida's furniture. The Japanese man stood next to his desk.

[Hotshida's office.]

Hotshida is viewing a cinematic display on his commlink. He is viewing his recording the the simsense display which Vera sent him only the night before. It was the scene of Vera beating the Bald-Elf over the head with the fire extinguisher. Looking up, he see's Vera. He turns off the display.

"Quiet the ordeal. Despite the complications which presented themselves, I have to applaud you for controlling the situation. Here you are. The other two-thousand nuyen upon completion."

An extra two thousand nuyen was beamed into her commlink account display.

Vera wore her black smart silk dress to the meeting. She was not sure what would happen, but she had made a decision that morning on being a shadowrunner again. She wore her darkened AR glasses to the meeting.

She sat down in the adjacent chair. Looking over and appraising Hotshida, mildly amused.


"Interesting choice of viewing material. I hope the rest was as enjoyable for you. Normally, I would charge extra for some of the more extranious scenes you experienced."

She shifted her position in the chair, recrossing her legs.

"Is there something else on your mind? Some other aspect of work you wish to experience?"

"Yes. Are you curious to know what will become of Thomas Galloway?"

Vera looked at Hotshida for a moment and replied. "No. I have found that there is little profit in sating curiosity, but I would wish you to sate your need to explain."

"I have always been fascinated with the psychology that goes within the minds of Shadowrunners. Many I have worked with in the past appear to be inhuman in my eyes. I suppose it is not that different of a corporate shark mentality. Nonetheless, I am satisfied with our business arrangements. You have been very professional Miss Davis. I may be in the need for your social infiltration services in the future."

Vera nodded and got up, holding out her hand, "Thank you for leaving the door open to future beneficial and advantageous contact. It was a pleasure working with you so intimately even though there was a bit of a personal gulf between the two of us. Perhaps we can mend in the future?"

She nods and heads for the office of door Kyle Hotshida and out of Angelic Studios.

When she extends her hand, Hotshida takes it and give it a gentleman's kiss.

Vera leaves. The air behind her smelling of a sweet aroma.

Hotshida turns on his commlink and promptly goes back to viewing Vera and Galloway's love making. Capturing and enjoying every sense of the experience.

Vera starts to do some digging on her mysterious Mr Johnson. She had already put out a few feelers last night, and as she entered her rental car she received a message on her commlink from Harrison Dane.

<<Hi Vera. Glad I was able to catch you this early in the morning. About your inquiry on this dead-pan elf. Here is what I have. His name is Ari Tarkasian. Tarkasian is a lead synergist at Shangra-La studios. It turns out two years ago, Tarkasian made a play to find this Optical Disk which surfaced in Seattle. It hit the streets for a few days, from an unknown anyonmous seller. Tarkasian became obsessed with finding this disc and used a lot of the companies resources to obtain it.However, he never did get it.

So fastforward to last month. The disc surfaces again. This time, Thomas Galloway is the one who is able to find it and recover it for Shangri-La.
The disc is supposed to contain some lost songs or musical files or some big superstar from the 50s.

Because he found the disc, Galloway was put in charge of the entire formatting, marketing, and distribution of the project.That probably didn't sit well with Tarkasian, don't ye think?

Say, are you heading back to Seattle tonight? My jet leaves tonight, if you need a lift.>>

Vera sends back a message.

<<Real big thanks for the information. I have a few meets which I need to arrange today and I might even have a job coming in. A girl's got to eat, and work is like rain in the desert, always precious. I'll let you know though in a few hours.>>

She was sitting in teahouse in Vancouver's chinatown, reading a mandarin/cantonese newspaper about the trials of a balkanized China and aspirations of reunification. Her minds eye switches over and she dials Ari Tarkasian's private number at Shangri-La studios.

There is a pause on the line, before he answers. "Yes?"

"Hello. I have your item for you as promised, but my expenses have increased."

There is another pause. "I see and why the sudden price increase?"

"I ran into your associates last night. They really tried to impress me with their slab cold sexual preferences."

"How... unfortunate. Is Galloway dead?"

"Galloway is no more."

He sighed, his smile easily trasmitted across the link "Good. Good. Why don't we meet later at the Griffon later today. We can re-discuss your fee."

"How about instead we meet at the Vancouver International Airport. There is a nice bar there called Propeller, say 1600?"

There was an edge in the voice. "I don't like this change in plans Vera."

"Well, blame your associates for the change in plans and my lack of trust in you."

"I assure you, I had nothing to do with their actions last night."

"Be as it may, I will see you at my chosen location."

Vera hanged up, before further rebukes could be heard. She drained her tea cup and looked at the grounds on the bottom, all she could see was two spiders bickering over a dead fly. She threw some AR money on to the table and left.

Saturday, January 10th 2072. 1610 Hours. Vancouver, Richmond, Salish Shidhe Council
-Vancouver, International Airport.

To say Ari Tarkasian was displeased with the turn of events would be an understatement. Six years ago in 2064 he had been a music producer for a new defunct music label entitled Apogee Music. The company had come into possession of a set of lost 'Jet Black' recordings that would have gotten the company out of debt and put them back on the map. Tarkasian had told the fools running Apogee music to release the recordings right there and then, but no the people in charge wanted to be patient. After the matrix crash of 2065, the directors of Apogee music had decided to store all of their files off line at the corporate headquarters. Then, the fire came. Apparently a crash based surge in the building's power delivery system caused a short, which in turn sparked a massive fire. This fire destroyed the entire building and most of their recording assets. Shortly afterwords their debts, Apogee music was absorbed by Shangri-La productions.

Tarkasian has survived the merger with Shangri-La. But had lost considerable amount of power doing so. Then in 2070, another set of the missing recordings had resurfaced in Seattle. Obsessed with obtaining this disc and becoming a powerful figure in the music industry again, Tarkasian had hired a mercenaries, gangers, and even a vampire to help track them down. He was thwarted when a rival had hired a group of Shadowrunners who eventually found, kept, and sold Jet Black's music to their Mr. Johnson. For some reason, the recordings never made it onto the market.

For two years. For two frigging years, he had scoured Seattle for any sign of the disc. So how the heck did Thomas Galloway come into possession of them before him? How? How? Was there a divine fate against him, was he another Niza in search of the Lost City of Gold? Or was he doomed to in existence searching for myths like the Loch Ness Monster, Bermuda Triangle, or Atlantis? Galloway had obtained the disc. His golden meal ticket had went to the Brit. And he was determined to make the Vice President pay.

In 2070 muscle had not worked, so he decided to use alternative methods in fulfilling his plans. Galloway in turn had increased his personal physical power as well as having bodyguards and influence with criminal organizations which would protect him from any coercion of force. His two henchmen were supposed to use Vera Renciz as a decoy. The original plan was to have Galloway seduced and broken before torturing him. Then get the disc, dispose of the women, and be clean of the entire situation. Now the tables have turned. He had one more chance. He could negotiate with the woman and get Jet Black's recordings back. After that he would break her.

Ari Tarkasian had made his way to the airport, planning to arrive a little late or right on time. He would do this himself this time. Relaying on others had cost him dearly. It was not hard to bribe airport security into letting him carry a side arm to this meeting. A heavy pistol should be sufficient to handle this slitch. Dressed in a purple chartreuse suit, which was a bit on the tacky side, he carried the a silenced Colt Man Hunter in a shoulder holster.

[Imagine Tarkasian wearing the Joker Suit.]

Arriving at Propeller's ten minutes after 4PM, scanning the bar looking for Vera.

"Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet,
Eating her curds and whey,

Along came a spider who sat down beside her,
And frightened Miss Muffet away!"

Tarkasian sang. Whispering to himself.

Ari Tarkasian upon entering the Propeller bar, did not see Vera. In actuality did not see much of anybody except a few business people enjoying their last drinks before their flights left.

He wiped the hair away from his face and looked around angrily. Finally as he was about contact the little slitch he got a beep on his commlink.

An airport AR agent formed of his personal preferences apologising that the person in question could not keep their appointment, it said simply that Ms. Renczi was already at the VIP lounge of El Al, waiting to board her flight to Tel Aviv in one hour. The AR agent further inquired Would he kindly follow her to the location? He turned on his heel and marched out of the bar. For some reason from behind, the agent looked eerily like Vera.

Meanwhile Bubbles, the bodyguard to the stars was on an overlooking level, watching Mr Tarkasian make his way to the more exclusive side of the airport, he carefully checked to see who else was following Tarkasian and did he have backup.

***

The El Al VIP lounge was quite spartan compared with the adjacent Plaza Premium Lounge. There were commlinks for businessman use, a small table with refreshments in Hebrew wrapping and a rating 3 MAD scanner on the door. There were also two men with shaved heads and hands like wrecking balls politely standing next to the bulletproof glass entryway.

Vera was sitting on a chair nearby, looking every inch of a businesswoman, reading the international edition of Haaretz. She smiled and waved at Ari through the glass.

Tarkasian followed the augmented reality display on his map heading toward the other end of the airport in search of the El Al VIP lounge. He was barely paying attention, his thoughts focused on what he was going to do to Vera once he obtained the disc. He was so unfocused that he consistently kept bumping into other citizens and other people, drawing their ire.

"Watch where you're going!"
"Stupid idiot, pay attention."
"Can you freaking see?"

A couple times he was walking in the center of the walking isle, when all of a sudden an airport transportation craft came roaring through, almost running the frustrated elf over.

Bubbles, watched and followed the man the entire way. Keeping Vera updated at the situation.

<<Text to Vera: He's alone. I haven't spotted any backup or seen him try and contact anyone on his commlink.>>

Tarkasian eventually made it to the El Al VIP lounge. He was out of breath and very anxious to obtain the disc. Because he was anxious, he did not see the two trolls walk towards him, not moving out of his way as they approached. The trolls bumped shoulders with him, which sent him sprawling to the ground just outside of the lounge. Looking through the windows, he saw Vera wave at him. Picking himself off the ground, Tarkasian cursed.

Approaching the lounge. He noticed the wrecking ball humans. Tarkasian put up a fuss about having to be MAD scanned. Such an akward fuss that everyone around the area began to stare and notice. The wrecking balls merely smirked and chuckled, until Tarkasian eventually gave up his Colt Manhunter.

He walked over to Vera, bumping into chairs on his way over. He looked very frustrated, flustered, and of course angry. The purple-suited elf placed his palms on the table before talking with a growl.

"This was not apart of our contingencies. Now stop playing games and give me my optical disc."

<<To Bubbles: Keep an eye on him just in case.>>

Vera calmly folded the newspaper and put it on the table. She sniffed politely.

"I'll give you your disc, if you give me the money owed. With the full cost considered in full, I believe 30,000 would cover all my expenses and appease any indignities I may have incurred."

She looked at him dispationately, his mottle colored face, no software was needed to read the barely bottled rage behind his eyes. He might collapse and give her the money or try something very foolish.

He raised his arms in dramatic disbelief.

"Thirty-Thousand nuyen? You are out of your mind. The agreed amount was eight, and you already have six. I understand there were complication in the job, so I am willing to raise the amount to 12,000 nuyen. That means you will receive another six-thousand. Now, do you have the disc on you?"

"Sit down. You are making a scene." She eyed the very angry elf, "It's an offer. Either you take it, or leave it. Or... perhaps you are simply unable to pay? Very well, 25,000 nuyen, since you seem to be so poor."

Tarkasian nods. He takes a deep breath before sitting down. Tarkasian thinks for a moment. Wanting to play her game.

"Fine. Twenty-five thousand." Tarkasian began. "You have six, so I owe you nine-teen more. First, show me the disc. And second, I'll need with you to come with me somewhere a little more private to verify it's contents. You understand, I must have confirmation of the item before I broadcast you the money."

Vera shrugged at Tarkasian. "How do you wish to verify the contents? I don't think you have an optical disc reader with you. In truth I would not even know where I could find one. As for the disc, it's in the building."

Vera shows Tarkasian a picture of the disc in a locker, there is a copy of the newspaper she has on the table with today's date clearly to be seen.

"I think you misunderstood, it's 25,000 nuyen in full. I don't trust you, so I apologize if I am not going to come somewhere quiet with you."

Bubbles, enter the lounge. Making his way over the the bar, he orders a drink.

<<Text to Vera: "I am here if you need me. We have the wrecking ball boys on our side too, courtesy of Sunny.">>

Tarkasian is still seething.

"Very well. Twenty-five thousand in full. But I want the disc, and you're coming with me to get it. In the end, you get what you want, but not until I do first."

Vera thinks about it a bit, and picks up the newspaper. "Money first"

She does not stand.

Saturday, January 10th 2072. 1630 Hours. Vancouver, Richmond, Salish Shidhe Council
-Vancouver, International Airport.

Expecting her to follow suite, Tarkasian was heading out of the bar by the time he realized she was not following him.

Before hiring Vera, Tarkasian had inquired about her professionalism. Raising her fee had been understandable in the shadow world, considering the complications which had happened on the run. He had betrayed her, no question about it. As a result her price had increased and her trust in him had decreased. An additional twenty-five thousand is over a two-hundred percent increase from their original agreed upon contract of eight thousand nuyen for the job. But he would pay it, despite the fact that twenty-five thousand was more then he could afford. He would have to go into debt for this.

He CRAVED the disc. He WANTED the disc. He NEEDED the disc to keep his sanity. Had she found out about his obsession, and in turn was using it against him? It looked like she had. She had played her cards right. He didn't care anymore. Ari Tarkasian knew what he had to do.

"Fine! Twenty-Five thousand. Not a nuyen more!" Tarkasian sneered.

Touching his Transys Avalon commlink, he punched a few functions to consolidate all of his current liquid assets. A few more minutes passed as he transferred the funds to his credit account which was linked to a dark blue cred-stick with a red stripe. Ari Tarkasian, slid the credstick across the table towards Vera.

"There. There is all of your money. Now lead the way."

Vera pocketed the credstick, slipping it into her pocket and her commlink. A quick transaction later the money was already being wired elsewhere.

She left the newspaper on the table and walked out of the executive waiting lounge. She made sure Tarkasian was following and her three shadows as she left the international departure lounge to the exit of the airport.

Next to the taxi stand was a long row of automated luggage compartments. She inserted her code and personal verification code in the AR display and there was an ominious beep from the compartment, popping open.

Nothing else was in the compartment, but an undamaged optical disc.

"Here you are", she said, handing him the optical disc. "I believe that concludes our business."

Saturday, January 10th 2072. 1630 Hours. Vancouver, Richmond, Salish Shidhe Council
-Vancouver, International Airport. Outside of the airport terminal.

Bubbles, "Bodyguard to the Stars", makes his way to the door of one of the taxi cubs in front of the luggage lockers. The troll, fingering a Ruger Super Warhawk on a hip holster.

<<Text: Bubbles to Vera - "In position if ye need me.">>

Working as luggage carriers in the next set of storage compartments, the ork and troll bash brothers, Soak and Sponge were set to go.

<<Text: Sponge to Vear - "So are we chica. All you have to do is say the word.">>

Tarkasian grinned, like a man engrossed by a compulsive passion. He took the disc very quickly and checked it's contents with haste.

"Finally. The end of my eleventh hour. Jet Black's lost recordings are mine."

He turned to face Vera, the elf pulled out a small Raecor Sting and pointed it towards her. The brass knuckle shaped firearm was hidden in a jacket pocket, and undetectable by MAD scanners.

"You've put me through a great ordeal Vera Renczi. I am going to finish what my two bodyguards were unable to do, and that is to cut off all ties and reward you for all of your hardwork."

The man chuckled to himself.

Vera calmly steps a bit to the side. "Mr Tarkasian, perhaps now would be a good time to think hard about shooting me."

<<text to Bubbles, Sponge and Soak - "Looks like Mr J, wants to have one last shot at me. Care to take him out?">>

"I have your money, you have your object. Don't make this any harder on yourself."

Tarkasian laughs. "This has already been an ordeal for me. It's taken me seven years to overcome all of the obstacles which have stood between me and this gold mind." He says, waving his disc in a free hand. "You're the last one left...."

The elf's smile fades away.

Bubble's smile only begins.

BOOM!

The bullet from the Ruger hits Tarkasian right between the eyes. His head doesn't have a chance to snap back, the elf's face becomes a large crater on his body. Ari Tarkasian is dead even before his skinny body hits the pavement.

Soak and Sponge quickly move. The ork and troll pick up the body and throw it into a luggage van.

Bubbles holsters the heavy pistol and promptly opens the back seat door to the running cab for Vera.

Vera grabbed the disc off the ground as it went flying in one direction and Tarkasian's brain went in the other. She stumbled into the cab and was off. She pushed her hair from her face and looked back as the entire event was slowly receding in the taxi cabs rearview mirror.

She looked at the disc in its scuffed case and wondered what to do with it. She thought for a moment before contacting an old friend of hers.

<<Text to Kyle Hotshida - I have something that might interest you, an optical disc which may be the holy grail of the music industry. Can I see you in your office in 30 minutes? Get an optical disc reader ready.>>

She looked at the human at the wheel for a moment and said, "Angelic Entertainment, please."

Saturday, January 10th 2072. 1715 Hours. Vancouver, Salish Shidhe Council
-Angelic Entertainment. Downtown Waterfront.


<<Text from Hotshida: "You continue to pique my interest Miss Davis. When you arrive in thirty-minutes you shall find everything ready.">>

Vera arrives at the studio and is ushered into Hotshida's office. There on a metallic shelf is a similar device to the one she found on Galloway's yacht.

Hotshida greets her.

"Now. What is it that you have?"

Vera popped open the optical disc case, the one that had used to have her demo inside and placed the disc in the player. She pressed the same button Galloway had pressed that fateful evening.


"Let's see, shall we?"

Hotshida smiles.

The business man places his simrig into the machine and listens to the disc privately. This goes on for a few minutes. Hotshida's face is one of confusion at first, and then relaxes. When he takes off the listening equipment, he looks at Vera and empathizes his business demeanor.

"How much?"

Vera thhought about the situation for a while, but her mind had already been made up. "It's yours. If you make any money off of it, just use it square away Galloway's debts and his family. Maybe sometime in the future we can do business, but at the moment too many people have payed a too high price for it. Some things are best to be laid out in the sun. You have a good heart, make the right choices."

With that she nodded at Hotshida and walked out of Angelic Entertainment. She never did know what was on it, but it was no longer hers to worry about. There was a niggling regret, but that had been silenced by something she closely assumed was her inner state of right and wrong. It left her dazed and confused as she realised she had walked three blocks before coming back to her senses. She hailed a cab and opened her commlink and made sure Squeak, Sponge, and Bubbles were paid for their help. She had made 25,000 nuyen that day and some would pay off their help. It was a cold consolation, but consolation nonetheless.

<<Text to Harrison Dane: Looks like the business venture fell through, can I still get a ride from you to Seattle? P.S. I hope you have something nice to drink.>>

<<Text From Harrison Dane. "Sure can on the ride. Sure do on the drinks. We have a working bartender. The plane leaves in an hour and fifteen. Here is the RFID code that will get you past security. By the way, ever met Neal the Ork Barbarian?">>

[Should the story continue, or will it end here? Comments and suggestions in the Peanut Gallery thread. First time a game has ended, so how much karma doI get and how much money did Vera spend?]